http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/05/18/so-s-how-they-wrote-tony-dinozzo-out-ncis/84531748/

This story contains major spoilers about the Season 13 finale (http://forums.previously.tv/topic/43137-s13e24-family-first/?do=getNewComment) of NCIS. If you haven't watched the episode yet, then you'd best get out of the secure compartmentalized information facility now. If you keep reading and then complain, Gibbs will come smack you upside the head. Last month, departed NCIS star Côte de Pablo threw cold water on fan speculation that her character, Ziva David, might come back for Michael Weatherly's sendoff (http://www.eonline.com/ca/news/765798/michael-weatherly-wasn-t-sad-filming-his-final-ncis-scene). She was sort of telling the truth. She did not appear herself but Ziva's shadow loomed large over the season finale. Gibbs' team learned of a mortar attack on the country home of Ziva's late father, Mossad chief Eli David, where the former NCIS agent had been staying.

Loved the final. That's the way to write out a major character. They actually wrote two out. Ziva was written off better this time than when she originally left.